Elopement Ceremony alongside the Chicago River at River Esplanade Park

Warmer months aren’t too far off in the future for the Chicago area; and before you know it, outdoor weddings will be on many engaged couple’s event planning lists, if not already. If you’re looking for a lovely backdrop for a wedding ceremony, vow renewal, commitment or elopement ceremony, which includes a small, medium or large body of water or fountains, then consider any of these top ten locations in Chicago.

The Adler Planetarium, Foster Beach, Milton Lee Olive Park, Navy Pier and Promontory Point sit right on Lake Michigan. The beauty of the water’s color when the sun hits it just right can give off a tropical hue, making you believe for an instant that you’re on an island in the Pacific. If you’d like to have yachts and sailboats captured in the background of your wedding photos, these would be prime locations for this.

If smaller bodies of water or locations that feature a water fountain or two away from the high winds of Lake Michigan is more appealing, then consider the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, Buckingham Fountain, Lake Shore East Park, Peoples Gas Education Pavilion or River Esplanade Park. River Esplanade Park is an especially unique site due to it not only being situated on the flowing waters of the Chicago River, but it boasts a water fountain alongside the river, as well as a colossal water spray that is turned on periodically spanning across the river.

Keep in mind, if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony to have ready an indoor backup location due to inclement weather. Unfortunately, this is one of the drawbacks of planning an outdoor wedding. It’s all in the hands of Mother Nature and her mood that day.